Adrien Broner's coup d'etat of the lightweight division last year was astounding, as he pounded division No. 1 Antonio DeMarco toward a stoppage finish in Round 8. Now that achievement is set to be blown out of the water.

Broner has tried to get Burns in the ring for a Feb. 16 clash, but Burns' team and Broner's couldn't reach an agreement. One would suspect Burns to be ducking, but this fight shows that is not the case.

On the undercard of Pacquiao-Marquez IV, Vazquez took previously undefeated hard-hitting Filipino fighter Mercito Gesta to school, out-boxing the kid for a dominant decision victory.

Facing an evasive fighter like Vazquez is no walk in the park and proves Burns definitely wasn't ducking Broner. In fact, a move like this raises Burns' value should he win and come back to the negotiation table.

Broner will need to up the ante and secure a big fight for his expected May 4 appearance on the televised undercard of Mayweather-Guerrero. His Feb. 16 opponent, Gavin Rees, is clearly just a stay-busy fight.

The overmatched Rees will bring the fight but not the momentum necessary to overshadow Burns. In steps the winner of the March 2 WBA title clash between Richard Abril and Sharif Bogere.

Bogere is a fast, flashy prospect ready to rise to contender status. Abril is an underrated fighter who has a claim as being the man who was robbed by the scorecards last year against Brandon Rios.

Though it'll only leave Broner's opponent two months to prepare for the May 4 clash, it's on a Floyd Mayweather undercard. That's an opportunity a lot of fighters want.

With a little money thrown their way, the winner of Abril-Bogere could certainly be on the opposite side of the ring from Broner come fight night.

If all goes well, Broner and the winner of Burns-Vazquez will have two championships a piece and can renegotiate what would surely be one of the biggest clashes of the year.

It's good to see fighters trying to one-up each other. Competition makes fighters rise to their optimum levels, and I have a feeling that this series of title unifications could bring out the best in all involved.